Spring motor



Patented Feb. 25, 1941 SPRING MOTOR William J. `Daily and Anthony N. Smith, Girard, Pa., assignors to Louis Marx & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,394 `1s ciaims. (c1. 1st-i5) This invention relates `to toys, and more particularly spring motor driven toys, and `.to a spring motor therefor. v

The primary object of our invention` is to 5 `generally improve toys, and more particularly spring motors for driving the same. A more particular object is to greatly reduce the number of parts required at the Winding stem and main spring of the toy with a View to reducing the cost of manufacture oi the spring motor. Still another Objectis to avoid the necessity for using a threaded connection between the l'key and the winding member, or bushing, or hub of the main spring, While at the same time :providing a readily detachable key so that the toy may be packaged more compactly in a small container, and also, so that the key.` may be removed out of the way during operation of the toy or unwinding of the motor.

Further objects of the invention are to provide spring motor mechanism which Will be characterized by a long oper-ating life despite rough handling of the toy, and which will function successfully With a long stiff spring such as is needed for a toy railroad locomotive or other toy where a high torque must be developed for a long operating period. Another object is to provide a Winding hub for the spring` motor which will keep the spring centralized and in substantially crcular condition concentric with the winding key despite the use of an attaching hook at the end of the spring formed by simply bending the metal ribbon reversely on itself. A still further object is to facilitate assembly of the spring with the hub, and more particularly, to make possible the formation of the hook at the end of the spring while winding the spring around the hub.

Further objects of the invention center about 40 the winding key itself and are to provide an inexpensive key formed by simply bending a non-circular Wire to key shape, the wire preferably being square Wire. A sharp bend may be provided on the shank of the key acting as i `a stopte limit insertion of the key, and the shank of the key may, if desired, be given a slight curvature to provide a frictional t between the key and the hub. The hub is a relatively massive and preferably die-cast element 503vvhich is journalled directly in the side plates of the motor frame, and which has a square passage therein for the key. This passage preferably extends all the way through the hub from end to end, thus facilitating manufacture `of the 55x: hubend permitting interlocking` engagement of l the keyand hub throughout a substantial length of materiaL `including an interengagement directlyV within the point 'of winding of themain spring or the point of` application of the load which -is resisting turning ofv the key. More. over, this arrangement makes it possible tov use the motoruniversally in a Variety of toys because the key may be slidably and detachably applied to the motorfromleither sideof the motor. The ma'in gear, ratchet wheel, and ratchet plate 10 are all4 assembled directly on the hub in a convenient and sturdy manner. v

ToV the accomplishment of thenforegoing an such other objectsas will hereinafter appear, our linvention .consists in theA spring motor ele- 15 ments and `their relation one to the other, as hereinafter Care more,y particularly described in the specication and sought to be deined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawing, :in which: 20

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a'locomotive toy actuated by means. of a spring motor embodying features of the present invention, a part of the locomotive body and of the motor frame `being cutaway to reveal the ratchet mechanism of the 25 motor;

Fig. 2 is an Venlarged. section taken in elevation .in the plane of the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the Winding hub;

Fig. 4 is van end View of the same with `some 30 convolutions of the spring shown -therearound; Fig. 5 illustrates `the ends of the spring;

Fig. 6 is explanatory of the method in which the jspring is Wound in place;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the key;

Fig. 8 `is a transverse section taken in the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. '7;f and Fig. 9 is a section taken in the plane ofy the liner 9--9 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly Fig. l, the invention is shown applied to a toy locomotive comprising a locomotive bodyB mounted. on a motor truck T running on flanged locomotive wheels W. The locomotiveis driven by a spring motor carried Within the frame orl side plates l2 of the truck-said sideplatesuacting also as .a frame for the spring` motor, as is usually the case in' these toys. The spring motor isgenerally conventional `and need not be described in detail other than to say that it `in- 5"@ cludes a hub I4 about ywhich a` ribbon-like spring is splrallywound. `The hub; turns.` appropriate ratchet mechanism, here illustrated by: a ratchet, plate `I6 secured' rto nubi Mvand having `a pair `of. pawls-orrdogs I8: urged resil 55 step-up gears may be provided leading up to a, suitable governor for controlling the speed of unwinding of the spring motor.

It may not be amiss to point out that the spring motor, although here shown applied to a locomotive toy, may be applied to any of a variety of toys, and that the locomotive toy has been selected merely by way of illustration rather than limitation of the invention.

The present invention centers about the hub I4 and associated mechanism. Referring to Figs, 2, 3, and 4, the hub I4 is preferably a single unitary member formed to nished or substantially finished configuration and dimension by die-casting practice. It is formed with journals 24 at its ends, these journals being received between the side plates or frame plates I2 of the motor. The hub is enlarged to receive the main spring 26, and this enlargement is spiral in conguration, as is shown in Fig. 4 and perhaps better shown in Figs. 6 and 9. The enlarged part of the hub is provided with a slot 28 which extends across the hub in a tangential direction or at an angle such as to clear the centermost part or key-receiving passage 36 of the hub. This slot 28 may extend all the way through the hub, but is preferably terminated or blind, as shown in Fig. 9, in order to limit the insertion of the end of the spring when beginning to wind the spring in place.

The spiral configuration of the hub allows room for the hook or bend of the main spring and is so shaped as to tend to keep the succeeding convolutions of the spring approximately circular and concentric with the axis of the hub. A part of the hub may be cut away, as is indicated at 34 in Figs. 3 and 9, but this is merely to conserve the amount of metal used in the hub, and the hub may, of course, be solid at this Point. It should be understood that the cut-away portion 34 is narrower than the spring 26, and the spring therefore rests on the outside of the hub, as is indicated by the broken line section marked 26 in Fig. 3.

Next to the enlarged spring-receiving portion of the hub, the hub is provided with a circular journal 46 which rotatably receives the main gear 42 of the spring motor. In the present case, the main gear 42 is stamped out of heavy gauge sheet metal and it is associated witha dished stiffening or reinforcing plate 44, and the parts 44 and 42 are together received on the journal 46 and are rotatable thereon.

Next to journal 40, the hub is provided with a a non-circular portion 46 which in the present case is somewhat diamond or lozenge shaped in outline, as is best shown in Fig. 4. The ratchet plate I6, previously referred to in connection with Fig. 1, is provided with a matingly shaped opening. The ratchet plate is forced over the part 46 of the hub, thus effectively preventing any relative rotation of the plate and hub. The ratchet plate is held against axial movement off the part 46 by staking or riveting a part of the hub outwardly, as is indicated at 48 in Fig. 2. Because of the manner in which the parts of the hub case, the socket or passage is square in section,

and the key 50 is bent up out of square wire. It

` consists essentially of a shank which may be slidably pushed into the passage 30, and a handle portion 52. The shank may, if desired, be sharply bent at 54 to form a stop for limiting insertion of the key. Moreover, the Working part 56 of the shank of the key may be given a very slight curvature, as is shown in Fig. 7, thus creating a frictional nt of the key within the opening 30 when the key is pushed into the hub. In the present case, the passage 30 extends entirely through the hub from end to end. This is not essential, but it is convenient both in manufacturing the hub and also in subsequently using the same, for the key may be applied to the motor from either side. The mating parts of the key and hub include a portion directly within the main spring so that the winding stress is applied directly to the spring.

The spring may be wound in place in a Very simple manner which is explained with reference to Fig. 6. In that figure, it will be seen that `the Side plates I2 of the motor are Connected at one corner by a cross-bar 58 having a downwardly projecting tongue 66. The spring 26 has its inner end inserted into the slot 28 of the hub, as is shown in the solid line position of Fig. 6. It is not necessary to preliminarily form a hook on the end `of the spring, although it is desirable to provide the spring with an annealed end. Referring for a moment to Fig. 5, it may be explained that the spring strip 26 has its inner end narrowed somewhat, as is indicated at 62, and this narrowed end is annealed or softened. The outer end is preferably provided with a slot or aperture 64.

To avoid confusion, it may be mentioned that the inner end 62, although narrowed slightly to fit readily in slot 28, is not narrowed enough to fit in the cut-out space 34 on the opposite side of the hub. Ordinarily, the narrowed part 62 is not long enough to reach the cut-out 34, and in any event, even if it does reach the cut-out 34, its Width is great enough to straddle the raised parts of the hub.

Reverting now to Fig. 6, after the end 62 of spring 26 has been inserted in slot 28, the hub is turned as by means of a winding key, thus turning the hub and spring from the solid line position of Fig. 6 yto the broken line position 26', at which time the spring is bent to form the anchoring hook 32. The winding of the spring is then proceeded with until the end of the spring reaches the cross-member 58, whereupon the slot 64 springs over the Vtongue 60, thereby anchoring the spring in position for future use of the toy.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the many advantages of our improved spring motor construction, will be apparentfrom the foregoing detailed description thereof. The number of parts required at the main spring of the motor is reduced to a minimum, and the single unitary hub is produced inexpensively by die-casting. The key is vdetachbe insertedin the hub from either side ofthe motor. K

The new hub assembly is characterized by long operating life;is adapted for use with relatively long stiff springs; keeps the convolutions of thespring. approximately circular and concentricwith the hub; and facilitates Yassembly of thelspring Aandhub.A In fact,` it makesl it-possible to form the .hook at the inner end of the spring as apart of the initial Winding operation. The keysisitself inexpensive, it beingbent up out of square Wire stock. The hub is itself journalled directly in the side plates of the motor frame, thus affording large diameter adequate bearings. The winding force of the key is applied fthroughout the length of the hub, thus distributing the load and applying it immediately` Withintthey spring itself. 'Iihe main gear and ratchetjplate are assembled on the hub by a simple staking operation and without the use of special additional parts. In this connection, it maybe pointed out that the torque of the motor is not applied to the staking or upsetting of the hub. The torque or main Iforce is taken through themen-circular or approximately diamond or lozenge shaped part of the hub, and the keying of the ratchet plate to the hub is strong beyond anything required in the course of operation of the motor. The only load on the upset vor staked part ofthe hub is the slight axial spring load caused'by movement of the ratchet dogs into and out of the ratchet openings in the main gear. This load. is comparatively light. Motors embodying the invention as here disclosed have been tested k,to destruction and no breakdown at the hub construction has been encountered.

It.- will be apparent that While We haveshown and described our invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed Without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A toy spring motor comprising a frame, a hub having journals received in said frame, a spring Wound about said hub and having its inner end connected to the hub and its outer end connected to the frame, and a Winding key hav-` ing a substantially straight solid end, said hub having a non-circular passage therein to slidably receive the Winding key, said Winding key having a section freely slidably mating with that of the passage in the hub, but being slightly curved to engage the hub with a frictional fit.

2. A toy spring motor comprising a frame including spaced frame plates, a hub having journals received in bearings formed in the frame plates, a spring wound about said hub and having its inner end received in a slot in said hub and having its outer end connected to the frame, and a Winding key, said hub having a square passage therein adapted to receive the Winding key, said Winding key being formed by bending a piece of Wire of square section into key shape, the square wire of said key being slidably but non-rotatably receivable in the square passage through the hub, the shank of said key being slightly curved so that the key is received in the hub With a frictional fit.

f '3.A toy, spring motorcomprising a frame includingspaced frame plates, a hub made of` die-castlmetal and` having journals at itszends which are received in bearings formed inthe frame plates, a spring Wound about saidhub and having its inner end received in a slot in saidrhub and\having` its outerend connectedvfto the frame, and a Winding key, said hub having a square passage extending all the way through` the hub from end to end and adapted toreceive the Winding key, said Winding key being formed by bending a piece of Wire of square sectionA into key shape to provide a nearly straight shank and a handle at one end thereof, the

shank of said key being sharply reverselyibent I at a` point intermediate the free end and the handle in order to form a stop for limiting insertion of the key in the hub.

4. A-toy spring motor comprising a frame, a`-

hub formed of die-cast metal and having a spiral portion With a slot extending thereinto for receiving the end of a spring rWound outside said hub, said slot starting at the smaller radius portionl of the spiral to `help Wind the spring centrally, and journals on said hub-received in` circular part on said hub for receiving the ratchet plate of the motor.

6. A toy spring motor comprising a hub formed of die-cast metal and having a spiral portion with a slot extenld'ing thereintof for receiving the end of a spring, saidy slot starting at the smaller radius portion. of the spiral to help vvind the spring centrally, the larger radius portion of the spiral being cut away at the center, a. circular` journal on said hub for receiving the main .gear and ratchet Wheel of the motor, and a noncircular part on said hub for receiving the ratchet plate of the motor, a part of the hub metal being riveted or staked to hold the ratchet plate in position and to thereby hold the main gear on its journal.

7. A toy spring motor comprising a non-rotatable frame including spaced frame plates, a hub having journals received in bearings formed in the frame plates, said hub having a spiral portion With a slot extending thereinto for receiving the end of a spring, said slot starting at the smaller radius portion of the spiral, a spring y a circular journal on said hub for receiving the main gear and ratchet Wheel of the motor, a non-circular part on said hub for receiving the ratchet plate of the motor, a spring Wound about said hub and having :its inner end received in the slot in said hub and having its outer end connected to the frame, and a readily removable Winding key,` said hub having a square socket adapted to slidably receive the key, said Winding key being formed by bending a piece .of square wire into key shape.

9. A toy spring motor comprising a non-rotatable frame including spaced frame plates, a hub made of die-cast metal and having journals which are received in bearings formed in the frame plates, said hub having a spiral portion with a slot extending thereinto for receiving the end of a spring, said slot starting at the smaller radius portion of the spiralin order to help keep the spring central, a circular journal on said hub for receiving the main gear and ratchet Wheel of the motor, a non-circular part on said hub for receiving the ratchet plate of the motor, a spring wound about said hub and having its inner end received in the slot in said hub and having its outer` end connected to the frame, and a readily removable Winding key, said hub having a square passage extending all the Way through the hub from end to end and adapted to slidably receive the Winding key, said Winding key being formed by bending a piece of square Wire into key shape.

10. A Winding key made of a piece of Wire of square section bent into key shape, the shank of said key being slightly curved so that the key is received in a receptive socket with a frictional t.

11. A toy spring motor comprising a non-rotatable frame including spaced frame plates, a hub extending between said frame plates and having journals at its ends rotatably received in bearings forrned in the frame plates, the ends of said journals passing through said frame plates and bein-g exposed at the outside of the frame on both sides, a spring Wound about said hub and having its inner end received in a slot in said hub and having its outer end connected to the frame, and a readily removable'vvinding key, said hub having a non-circular passage extending all the way therethrough and adapted to axially sli'dably receive the winding key, said Winding key being formed by bending a piece of Wire of non-circular section into key shape, the Wire of said key being slidably but non-rotatably receivable in the passage through the hub, the crossseotional dimension of said passage and key being smaller than the diameter of said journals, said passage passing through the ends of said journals and being thereby exposed at the outside of the frame for insertion of the key.

12. A toy spring motor comprising a nonrotatable frame, a hub formed of die-cast metal and having a spiral portion with a slot extending thereinto for receiving the end of a spring Wound outside said hub, said slot starting at the smaller radius portion of the spiral to help wind the spring centrally, journals on said hub received .in the frame, and a non-circular passage extending axially through said hub and through at least one .of said journals Where it is exposed outside the frame for sliding reception of the shank of a detachable Winding key of non-circular section, said slot for said spring being offset from the axis of the hub enough to clear said passage for reception of the key.

13. A toy spring motor comprising a hub having a spiral portion with a slot extending thereinto for receiving the end of a spring Wound around the outside of said hub, said slot starting at the smaller radius portion of the spiral to help Wind the spring centrally, a circular journal on said hub for receiving the main driving gear and ratchet Wheel of the motor, a non-circular part on said hub for receiving the ratchet plate of the motor, and a non-circular passage extending axially of said hub for the sliding reception of the shank of va Winding key of non-circular section, said slot for said spring being offset from the axis of th-e hub enough to clear said passage for reception of the key.

WILLIAM J. DAILY. ANTHONY N. SMITH. 

